Minnesota Twins pitcher Devin Smeltzer throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Minneapolis. AP

Devin Smeltzer is hoping third time was the charm.

The southpaw returned to a big-league mound Thursday, making a spot start for the Minnesota Twins. And he didn’t disappoint, throwing seven shutout innings in the Twins’ 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Smeltzer, who’s bounced between the Twins and Triple-A St. Paul, stepped in for Joe Ryan, who landed on the COVID list.

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